AF-S Nikkor 105/1.4E to be announced

[Akira]

An f1.4 lens can have round bokeh to the corners, say, at f2.0 whereas you would have to stop down an f2.0 lens to f2.8.  So, a fast lens still is advantageous even if you would need to stop down a bit. 

[Jakov Minić]

Akira, I have been using in recent months the 135DC at its widest setting f/2.0 and have not noticed swirly bokeh or cat's eyes.
For more than 10 years I have been using the 85/1.4 AF-D and have not noticed these characteristics either.
While I do agree with you and Illka that contrast and sharpness do improve when a lens is stopped down a bit, I simply don't agree that swirly bokeh or cat's eyes are common features of all fast lenses at the widest settings.
And, let me repeat, I love swirly bokeh and irregularities of lenses like the Zenit 85/1.5 or the Heligon 100/1.6. I have posted hundreds of such photos here. But their rendering of irregularities is so much more appealing to me.
In the beginning I was joking that will NOT buy the 105/1.4, now I definitely won't, thanks to Erik's examples and other examples I have seen.
It doesn't match my needs, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't match the needs of others
And again, I am not stating that it is a bad lens, I am just saying that it's not for me, because I am the guy that makes all those blurry photos

[Akira]

Jakov, if I understand correctly, the swirly bokeh and the cat's eye bokeh are two different things.  The former is caused by the astigmatism of the lens, and the latter, the vignetting in the optical path possibly due to the narrow lens barrel.

I think that the DC 135/2.0 is essentially a well corrected lens and thus won't show any swirly bokeh.  If it doesn't show any cat's eye bokeh, then the barrel should be large enough to aboid vignetting.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Jakov, if I understand correctly, the swirly bokeh and the cat's eye bokeh are two different things.  The former is caused by the astigmatism of the lens, and the latter, the vignetting in the optical path possibly due to the narrow lens barrel.

In the case of the 105/1.4, I believe both the cat's eyes and the appearance of swirly bokeh on occasion are caused by the same thing which I believe to be  vignetting. I've been trying to study my images to understand when these issues might occur. However, I'm coming to the conclusion that it is rarely an issue, mainly when shooting through leaves etc. which I don't do often. Traffic lights appear as cat's eyes and some other objects as well, which can create a mild circular appearance but after a while of using the lens I don't feel the spinning through a tunnel effect as much as I first did. I am not sure how it affects someone not used to the lens.

I think that the DC 135/2.0 is essentially a well corrected lens and thus won't show any swirly bokeh.  If it doesn't show any cat's eye bokeh, then the barrel should be large enough to aboid vignetting.

The 135 DC is great for bokeh, fabrics and skin but it can be difficult to get consistent AF from it, and tracking seems to work best on a D3/.../D5 class body, so it's very demanding in that respect. AF was my main motivation for purchasing the 105/1.4 and I'm quite happy with that aspect of it, even if the rendering of skin is not as flattering as that in the 105 DC, for example. I do think it is a very nice lens overall but takes some getting used to. I'm very happy that I don't have to overshoot to get some shots of moving subjects in focus now. It's less stressful and I'm happy to use the new lens at events which I was too afraid to do with the DC Nikkors.

[Jakov Minić]

Illka, I shoot a lot of events and nothing beats 70-200/2.8 VR 
Given the size and weight, I wouldn't hesitate a second which lens to use.
I do understand your points. As I said, 105/1.4 is a great lens from what I have experienced during our Photokina gathering. I know Bjørn, Chris and many other love it and that should do.
Thanks.

[Erik Lund]

Just trying to help,,, 105 AFS 1.4

Please help me pluck the berries,,,

_EGL7024 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Jakov Minić]

Akira, yes. Two different things. I understand that it doesn't happen often. I couldn't manage to induce any irregularities myself. Then again, I only used it briefly.
It's a fine lens and all those using it will enjoy it as they have and will... and I will enjoy the images coming 

[Erik Lund]

A mighty Nikkor of yesterday shot with the new kid on the blog,,,

_EGL7002 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Illka, I shoot a lot of events and nothing beats 70-200/2.8 VR 

Do you mean the earlier version? I have the Mk II and I don't much care for it. Here is an example illustrating its less attractive out of focus rendering. So in practice I use it at events if I really need it but otherwise I avoid it. Hoping that the next version will have nicer out of focus rendering.

[Akira]

Hoping that the next version will have nicer out of focus rendering.

The next version seems to be just around the corner?

http://nikonrumors.com/2016/10/03/two-new-nikon-lenses-to-be-announced-soon-nikkor-pc-19mm-f4e-ed-and-70-200mm-f2-8e-fl-ed-vr.aspx/

[Jakov Minić]

Illka, I have used both versions of 70-200 and never felt that the bokeh was bad with that lens.
I guess it's just a matter of taste

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I guess it's just a matter of taste

Yes, I agree such matters often are.     

The next version seems to be just around the corner?

I look forward to seeing what Nikon has come up with. 

[Frank Fremerey]

I can order it now and get it from Amazon UK (themselves no marketplace!) for 1836,26 Euro including shipping. Is the price OK???

I see that amazon DE (themselves no marketplace!) want 2419,00 Euro plus shipping

gosh, I am tempted although the lens will probably arrive to late for California.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

That's a very good price, low enough to raise my suspicions. 

I don't want to spoil anything, if it seems like it is a legitimate offer by Amazon then go for it! Though personally I do not like the way Amazon packs some stuff.

[Les Olson]

Exchange rates will be a factor.  The euro:GBP rate has gone from 1.42 in December 2015 and 1.3 in June 2016 to 1.14 today.  If the amazon.de price in euros and the amazon.co.uk price in GBP started out equivalent, the change in exchange rate alone would mean the price in euros at amazon.co.uk would have gone from 2419 to somewhere between 2100 and 1900, depending when the retail price was set.  The current euro price on amazon.co.uk implies a discount of 100 to 200 pounds rather than 500 pounds, which is much less suspicious. 

If this is right, euro purchasers may find more bargains from amazon and other UK suppliers.